Jules Kounde has been a consistent figure for Barcelona but the La Liga side might look to cash in on him because as per Mundo Deportivo, as many as five clubs wish to sign him in the summer.
Chelsea and Manchester United have already been linked with the central defender and now Newcastle United, PSG and Inter Milan have also joined the race.
Chelsea had tried to sign Jules Kounde before he chose to join Barcelona in 2022 and since then he has featured in 84 games across all competitions. Kounde is primarily a centre-back but he can also play as a right full-back and this season, he’s played as many as 23 games on the right-hand side. Even last campaign, he played more games as a full-back than a centre-back.
With Thiago Silva set to leave in the summer, the Blues will once again go back for the 25-year-old but this time, they will have a lot more competition on their hands. Like Chelsea, PSG, Newcastle and Man United are all in search of a top centre-back so this might be the perfect time for Barcelona to sell him.
Will Barcelona sell Jules Kounde or will they opt to let go of Araujo?
Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo are the two of the most valuable players in the Barcelona squad right now and because the Catalans are in need of funds, they will have to sell at least one of them.
A couple of months ago, Ronaldo Araujo was not up for sale but Barca are now willing to sell him as well and we think they will be able to fetch more money from Araujo’s exit.
Jules Kounde is currently valued at €50 million but Araujo is valued at €70 million and his contract with the club expires one year ahead of Kounde. Bayern Munich have been linked with Araujo and the Bavarians have the financial might to pay a premium fee for the South American.
Yes, Chelsea, Man United and PSG also have major resources to pay a good enough fee for Kounde but the 25-year-old is a much more versatile player so will will make much more sense if Barcelona decide to hold onto him.
Barca have plans to sign Joao Cancelo permanently but even if the Man City loanee stays back, he is the only experienced right-back that Barcelona have in their squad. If the Catalans choose to sell Jules Kounde in the summer then they will have to bring in a new centre-back and also a new backup right-back for Joao Cancelo.
Rather than spending unnecessary money, Xavi would much rather prefer that his owners cash in on Ronaldo Araujo instead of Kounde.
